HSE set to publish Console audit later today

The results of a HSE audit into suicide charity Console are expected to be published later this morning.

A liquidator was appointed to the charity yesterday after weeks of controversy when it was alleged that directors of the charity had spent its funds on foreign travel, designer clothes and dining out.

Pieta House has now taken over the service and is to begin talks with staff about future employment.

An interim liquidator was appointed to Console yesterday – ending weeks of speculation about the charity’s future.

Staff are being made redundant today – and Pieta House has taken over its functions.

Console’s clients are being offered the option to work with Pieta, or opt out of the service.

HSE management are appearing before the Public accounts Committee at 10am.

National Director of Mental Health with the HSE Anne O’Connor hopes the 10-day agreement can continue.

"The fact that we've reached a point where we are in agreement and where the services continue is of paramount importance to all of us," she said.

"We'll continue to work with Pieta over the coming week, intensively, and we are all committed to ensuring that we continue to work with Pieta over the coming months. Years, hopefully."